Google has launched a beta of Public Data Explorer, which allows users to find data on all sorts of subjects and turn it into graphs.

For example, you can get statistics about unemployment rates in Europe by month and by gender (see graphic below), mortality rates and the cost of living from countries and regions around the world and compare them against each other.

Data has been provided by a number of organisations including the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the California Department of Education, Eurostat, the US Center for Disease Control and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The tool is aimed at students, journalists and researchers.

“We’re excited that all around the world new data providers are deciding to make their information freely available on the internet, enabling innovators to create interesting applications, mash up the data in new ways and discover profound meaning behind the numbers,” said Google’s Jürgen Schwärzler.

Google Public Data Explorer - Unemployment in Europe by Month and Gender

We would like to congratulate Sonru  who last Wednesday won the Bank of Ireland National Bright Ideas Challenge with a  prize of a €100,000 interest free loan and the title of the National Bright Ideas Winner. With 85 initial applications Bank of Ireland had their work cut out to whittle the competition down to the final four regional finalists.

Alexandra College has been using Sonru’s online interviewing software this year to assist Leaving Certificate students with preparation for their modern languages oral exams.

Dublin Regional Winners Rendezvu, Galway Regional winner Eventovate and Cork Regional winner ResourceKraft, all provided stiff competition to the Waterford Regional winners Sonru. Notably, all four finalists are to a large degree web based businesses, highlighting the way the digital world has changed the way Irish business is carried out.

Sonru is just another example of the entrepreneurial  opportunities that the Internet can create.  If any future budding entrepreneur would like to find out more about this competition please click here.

On March 3rd, 2010, Alex TY students attended a seminar entitled “Three Hazards – Child Protection In The Electronic Age”.  In conjunction with ChildWatch.ie, the authors of a recent Barnardos report entitled “Three Hazards – Child Protection In The Electronic Age”, the Komplett-sponsored free seminar deals with internet threats and safety and is aimed at senior cycle students.

The seminar dealt with cyber bullying, the use (and misuse) web and mobile phone cams, identity theft and the serious threat of internet predators.

The seminars, which have been given in a number of schools all over Ireland, aim to “to get past the ‘net nanny syndrome’ (kids switching off when they feel they’re being lectured at) by discussing the real threats that are out there on the internet in an adult manner.”  Undoubtedly, the one hour seminar caught the attention of the TY students and made them aware of the serious nature of the issues discussed.

Click here for more info

Ruth Deeney

Donegal student Ruth Deeney has won the top prize in the second year of the Doodle for Google competition held in Ireland.

With her drawing that imagines what her future will be like while incorporating the Google logo, Deeney was picked by public vote and has won her school – the Loreto Community School in Milford – a €10,000 technology grant from Google.

“My future begins at the centre of Google. Myself as a fortune teller foresees everything around me,” said Deeney.

“The future being squeaky clean, shiny and painted chrome, not by humans of course! We won’t have to lift a finger with our advanced technology, like nanny robots and elevators to other planets. Future here we come!”

Her winning doodle can be seen on the homepage for Google Ireland all day today.

While Deeney is the overall winner, the Doodle for Google competition was divided into four categories: transition year, 5th, 6th year and a Youthreach category.

The three winners in the remaining categories were: Ellen Hayden, Scoil Bhríde, Ballyboy, Co Offaly; Savannah Bergin, Scoil Rois in Galway and Ciara Hayley, Loreto Community School, Milford, Co Donegal, all of whom will receive a laptop along, as will their teachers.

In total there are 80 regional finalists whose doodles can be seen on the wall of the Trinity Science Gallery from Friday 26 February to Thursday 4 March.

From Silicon Republic